Citation

Veiga F, Domingues V, Saraiva C, Santos Z, Craveiro A, Madeira F, Cabral A, Roque M. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 153-154.

Affiliation

Suicide Research and Prevention Unit, Clinica Psiquiatrica - Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, 3000 Coimbra, Portugal. fmaveiga@sapo.pt.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16964165

Abstract

Objectives: From a 15-year clinical experience involving 400 suicide attempters aged 15-24, our aim was to study associations between lack of confidant or group activities and several sociodemographic and clinical variables. Methods: We used a semi-structured questionnaire designed by our unit, with 77 items covering all these aspects. Two groups were compared: '1' (10%) and '0' (90%) - positive and negative for lack of confidant or group activities, respectively. Results: Regarding sociodemographic variables, within group 1 we found higher proportions of suburban and lower social class individuals. Concerning clinical variables, the following findings were MORE frequent within group 1: abnormal psychomotor development, psychotropics abuse, anxiety and mood disorders, financial problems, previous suicide attempts, guilt/self-aggressiveness, suicide plan and high suicidal intent; and LESS frequent: precipitant quarrel and satisfaction that they had survived. Conclusions: We are dealing with a socially more deprived young population, with high incidence of axis I psychiatric disorders often justifying psychotropics prescription, which themselves come to be used as a suicidal behaviour method. Our findings clearly show that, in the scope of any youth suicide prevention program, particular attention must be given to promoting strong and healthy peer group attachments and confidant bonds.

Language: en